Mary West, the daughter of a Texas cattleman, assembled the land that comprised the old 3-C Ranch. Once known as the Columbia Cattle Co., the 3-C Ranch was a combination of several of the oldest cattle ranches in the state, including some that dated back to the early 1800s. Ranchers had long been attracted to the area because of the abundance of water.
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1971 Star files
One of the last big Arizona cattle drives.
In addition to being a rancher, West was an attorney, and an investor in mining exploration. She purchased the ranch in 1945 and began buying up other ranches in the area. The resulting 36,000 acre ranch included the Bill Huggett Ranch, as well as the Peppersauce, the American Flag, White House and VY ranches.
When she sold the ranch in 1959, it consisted of approximately 5,000 acres of deeded land and the rest in state and federal lease land. While the sale price was not revealed, it had been listed at $700,000. The property also included two homes and two guest houses.
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It was sold again in 1966, this time for around $1,000,000. Improvements had been made to the property and it now included, in addition to the two main houses, three guest houses, a swimming pool and recreation area. There were six smaller houses for ranch hands and a trailer court for 18 trailers. It also had a 3,200 foot airstrip.
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1983 Star photo
The 3-C Ranch in 1983.
In 1978, a group of Phoenix investors proposed a subdivision on the property, but the plan met with opposition. By 1983, the Niles Thim Corp. owned the land and introduced their plan for a big-game shooting preserve with adjoining 160-acre parcels for “gentlemen ranchers.” Those plans never became a reality.
The 3-C Ranch now operates as a resort and includes the “Nixon House” among its lodgings. Their website is http://www.3cranchaz.com/
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